Modular wall mount enclosure

ABSTRACT

A modular, non-metallic enclosure with a first enclosure having an open end between first and second side panels and a second enclosure having an open end between third and fourth side panels. At the open end of the first enclosure, the first and second side panels each include a guide rail having a male guiderail member and a female guiderail channel. At the open end of the second enclosure, the third and fourth side panels each include a guide rail having a male guiderail member and a female guiderail channel. The male guiderail member/female guiderail channel of the first sidewall are configured to engage with the opposite of the male guiderail member/female guiderail channel of the third side wall. The male guiderail member/female guiderail channel of the second sidewall are configured to engage with the opposite of the male guiderail member/female guiderail channel of the fourth side panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/693,672, filed Jul. 3, 2018, which is incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an enclosure for voice, data and video wiringand equipment and more particularly to a non-metallic modular enclosureutilizing multiple standard size enclosures combined with aninterlocking sliding joint mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Enclosures for terminating wires from outlets, for distributing wires,and for mounting equipment, such as routers, for voice, data and videoare used in residences, offices and factories. Such enclosures are usedin new installations and retrofits and can be surface mounted orrecessed by mounting between wall studs. Such enclosures are often madeof metal and come in a variety of standard sizes, such as: 14″, 21″, 28″and 42″ lengths. While the array of different size metal enclosuresprovide various options to choose from, depending on the amount ofwiring and equipment needed to be housed for a particular application,the metal negatively impacts the performance of the electricalequipment, in particular WiFi operation.

Other enclosures are manufactured using a non-metallic material, such asplastic, which provide better electrical performance; however, there islittle variety in the size of the equipment due to the fact that foreach different size dedicated mold tooling, which is expensive andrequires special equipment and facilities, is required. This is onlyjustified when the market requirement for larger enclosures issignificant.

To address this problem plastic enclosures using separate modules thatcan be combined to provide a larger size enclosure for mounting on awall have been developed. The modules are combined to form two-gang orlarger assemblies. However, the interlock mechanism to connect themodules is mechanically complex, making it difficult to manufacture andassemble. There is therefore a need for a non-metallic modular enclosureassembly having a simple and easy to use interlocking mechanism forconnecting modules.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a non-metallic modularenclosure assembly having a simple and easy to use interlockingmechanism Other benefits and advantages of the present invention overexisting systems will be readily apparent from the Brief Summary of theInvention and Detailed Description to follow. One skilled in the artwill appreciate that the present teachings can be practiced withembodiments other than those summarized or disclosed below.

In one aspect, the invention includes a modular, non-metallic enclosurewith first non-metallic enclosure member having a first base panel, afirst side panel, a second side panel opposing the first side panel, anda first end panel. The first base panel includes an internal surfacefrom which extend the first and second side panels on opposite sides ofthe internal surface and the first end panel extends from an end of theinternal surface and interconnects the first and second side panelsforming a closed end of the first non-metallic enclosure member.Opposite the closed end there is an open end of the first non-metallicenclosure member between the first and second side panels. There is asecond non-metallic enclosure member having a second base panel, a thirdside panel, a fourth side panel opposing the third side panel, and asecond end panel. The second base panel includes an internal surfacefrom which extend the third and fourth side panels on opposite sides ofthe internal surface and the second end panel extends from an end of theinternal surface and interconnects between the third and fourth sidepanels forming a closed end of the second non-metallic enclosure member.Opposite the closed end there is an open end of the second non-metallicenclosure member between the third and fourth side panels. At the openend of the first non-metallic enclosure member, the first and secondside panels each include a guide rail, each guide rail having a maleguiderail member and a female guiderail channel. At the open end of thesecond non-metallic enclosure member the third and fourth side panelseach include a guide rail, each guide rail having a male guiderailmember and a female guiderail channel. The male guiderail member and thefemale guiderail channel of the first sidewall are configured toslideably engage with the opposite of the male guiderail member and thefemale guiderail channel of the third side wall, thereby forming a firstsliding joint. The male guiderail member and the female guiderailchannel of the second sidewall are configured to slideably engage withthe opposite of the male guiderail member and the female guiderailchannel of the fourth side panel, thereby forming a second slidingjoint.

In other aspects of the invention, one or more of the following featuresmay be included. The guide rails of the first non-metallic enclosuremember may have a length extending in an orthogonal direction relativeto the internal surface of the first base panel and the guide rails ofthe second non-metallic enclosure member may have a length extending inan orthogonal direction relative to the internal surface of the secondbase panel. The guide rails of the first non-metallic enclosure membermay be configured to receive at a top of the first and second side wallsthe guide rails of the second non-metallic enclosure member at a bottomof the third and fourth side walls, respectively. The male guiderailmember and the female guiderail channel on each of the first and secondside panels may be integrated. The male guiderail member and the femaleguiderail channel on each of the third and fourth side panels may beintegrated. The male guiderail member and the female guiderail channelon each of the first and second side panels may extend at leastpartially beyond the open end of the first non-metallic enclosure memberand the internal surface of first base panel. The male guiderail memberand the female guiderail channel on each of the third and fourth sidepanels may be positioned within the open end of the second non-metallicenclosure member and on the internal surface of first base panel. Eachmale guiderail member may be tapered in width along its length from thetop of the first and second side panels to a base of the first andsecond side panels and each female guiderail channel on each of thefirst and second side panels may have a consistent rectangularcross-sectional shape along its length. The male guiderail member andthe female guiderail channel on each of the third and fourth side panelsmay have a consistent rectangular cross-sectional shape along itslength. Each male guiderail member may be tapered in width along itslength from the top of the first and second side panels to a base of thefirst and second side panels and each female guiderail channel on eachof the first and second side panels may have a consistent rectangularcross-sectional shape. On an external surface of the male guiderailmember and proximate the top of each of the first and second side panelsthere may be included a wedge portion with a sloped surface. The femaleguiderail channel on each of the third and fourth side panels may have asurface proximate the top of the third and fourth side panels with asurface having a slope complimentary to the sloped surface of the wedgeportion to receive the wedge portion of male guide members of the firstand second side panels when engaged.

In further aspects of the invention, one or more of the followingfeatures may be included. A first trim ring may be affixed to the firstnon-metallic enclosure member and a second trim ring may be affixed tothe second non-metallic enclosure member. A first trim ring may beinterconnected to the second trim ring by a first overlap joint and asecond overlap joint. The first trim ring may include a first leg memberand a second leg member and the second trim ring may include a third legmember and a fourth leg member and the first lap joint may be formed atan intersection of the first and third leg members and the second lapjoint may be formed at an intersection of the second and fourth legmembers. The first overlap joint may comprise a recessed end portion ofthe first leg member and an end portion of the third leg member may havea thickness equivalent to a depth of the recess, such that when the endportion of the third leg member is positioned on the recessed portion ofthe first leg member, a top surface of the first leg member and a topsurface of the third leg member are substantially flush. The firstoverlap joint may further comprise a first joint member and a secondjoint member on opposite sides of the end portion of the first legmember and the end portion of the third leg member. The first jointmember may include a detent on an exterior side surface of the recessedend portion of first leg member and a pocket member with an opening onexterior surface of the end portion of the third leg member, the pocketmember may be configured to secure the detent when inserted into theopening. The second joint member may include a cylindrical memberprojecting from an underside of the end portion of the first leg memberand a cylindrical aperture on a top surface of the end portion of thethird leg member. The cylindrical aperture may be configured to receivethe cylindrical member when inserted therein. The second overlap jointmay comprise a recessed end portion of the second leg member and an endportion of the fourth leg member may have a thickness equivalent to adepth of the recess, such that when the end portion of the fourth legmember is positioned on the recessed portion of the second leg member, atop surface of the second leg member and a top surface of the fourth legmember are substantially flush. The second overlap joint may furthercomprise a third joint member and a fourth joint member on oppositesides of the end portion of the second leg member and the end portion ofthe fourth leg member. The third joint member may include a detent on anexterior side surface of the recessed end portion of second leg memberand a pocket member with an opening on exterior surface of the endportion of the fourth leg member. The pocket member may be configured tosecure the detent when inserted into the opening. The fourth jointmember may include a cylindrical member projecting from an underside ofthe end portion of the second leg member and a cylindrical aperture on atop surface of the end portion of the fourth leg member. The cylindricalaperture may be configured to receive the cylindrical member wheninserted therein

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a modular, non-metallic enclosureaccording to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 1B shows a perspective view, similar to FIG. 1, of a modular,non-metallic enclosure according to an aspect of the invention with onedoor open and a portion of the interior visible.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the modular, non-metallic enclosureof FIG. 1B with the two modular enclosure members separated and with themodular trim rings and doors removed.

FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of the two modular enclosure members ofFIG. 2 interconnected with the interlocking sliding joint mechanismaccording to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of one of the guide rails of the slidingjoint of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5A shows an exterior perspective view of the other of the guiderails of the sliding joint of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5B shows an interior perspective view of the guide rail of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the two modular enclosure members ofFIG. 2 interconnected and with the modular trim ring assembliesinstalled.

FIG. 7 shows an enlarged interior perspective view of the overlappingjoint of the modular trim ring assemblies of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8A shows an interior perspective view of an end of one of the trimrings.

FIG. 8B shows a perspective view of the underside of the trim ring ofFIG. 8A from the exterior.

FIG. 9 shows an interior perspective view of an end of the trim ringwhich mates with the trim ring shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure and the various features and advantageous details thereofare explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodimentsand examples that are described and/or illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings and detailed in the following description. It should be notedthat the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawnto scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with otherembodiments, as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if notexplicitly stated herein.

Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may beomitted to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the disclosure.The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate anunderstanding of ways in which the disclosure may be practiced and tofurther enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments ofthe disclosure. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments herein shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure. Moreover, itis noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

A non-metallic, modular enclosure to be used, for example, fordistributing wires and for mounting equipment, such as routers, forvoice, data and video, according to an aspect of this invention may beproduced by first modifying a standard non-metallic enclosure member,e.g. a 14 in. long plastic enclosure, by not including one of its twoend panels and replacing it with an interlocking sliding joint. Then,another standard non-metallic enclosure member, e.g. a 28 in. longplastic enclosure, may also be modified by not including one of its endpanels and replacing it with compatible interlocking sliding joints.These modular enclosure members may be made via a mold set change ineach standard mold. The mold modification removes one end and createsthe interlocking sliding joints. In conjunction with these joints, twointerlocking tabs may be formed that engage when the assembly is in itsfinal position. Two flat head screws may secure the two bases togethervia the tabs. When interconnected, this results in a modular enclosurewhich, in this example, is 42 in. long without the need for largededicated 42-inch mold tooling.

In the above example, a 42-inch long trim ring assembly may be createdby modifying one end of a 14-inch trim ring and an opposing end of a28-inch trim ring also via a mold set change. The mold modificationremoves one end and creates an overlapping joint. The two sections maybe secured together with a molded snap feature and two flat head screws.The standard doors for the 14 in. and the 28 in. enclosures may be usedin unmodified form.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, there is shown a non-metallic modularenclosure 10, according to an aspect of this invention, which comprisesa first modular enclosure unit 12 interconnected to a second modularenclosure unit 14. First modular enclosure unit 12 may include a firstenclosure base member 16 and a first trim ring 18 disposed about theperiphery of and along a top edge of the first enclosure base member 16.There is a first enclosure door 20, which may be interconnected to firsttrim ring 18 via a plurality of hinges, including hinge 22. Firstenclosure door may include cooling vents 21 and 23 for providing airflowto cool wiring and components inside the enclosure and a small openingor pocket 25 in door 20 in which a finger may be inserted to open thedoor.

Second modular enclosure unit 14 may include a second enclosure basemember 24 and a second trim ring 26 disposed about the periphery of andalong a top edge of the second enclosure base member 24. There may be asecond enclosure door 28 which is interconnected to second trim ring 26via a plurality of hinges, including hinge 30. Second enclosure door 28may include cooling vents 31 and 33 for providing airflow to cool wiringand components inside the enclosure and openings or pockets 35 and 37for opening door 28.

In one example, modular enclosure 10 may be a 42 in. long plasticenclosure. This is a standard size for a metallic enclosure, but not fora plastic enclosure. A modular plastic enclosure may be formed bycombing a 14 in. first modular enclosure (plastic) with 28 in. secondmodular enclosure (plastic). Of course, virtually any size plasticenclosure may be produced according to this invention using varioussizes and numbers of modular plastic enclosure units and combining themusing the sliding interlocking joints disclosed herein.

Referring now to FIG. 2, first enclosure base member 16 and secondenclosure base member 24 are shown detached and positioned for themembers to be interconnected with the interlocking sliding jointsaccording to this invention.

First enclosure base member 16 constitutes a unitary structure thatincorporates a first base panel 50, a first side panel 52, a second sidepanel 54, opposing the first side panel 52, and a first end panel 56.The first and second side panels 52 and 54 may be connected at theirrespective first ends 53 and 55 to end panel 56, which together form aU-shaped frame with a first closed end at end panel 56. The panelsforming the U-shaped frame may be interconnected to internal surface 58of base panel 50 about its periphery and extend orthogonally therefrom.The end of the U-shaped frame opposite end panel 56 forms open end 60defined by end edges 61 and 62 of side panels 52 and 54, respectively,and edge 63 of base panel 50. Open end 60 of the first enclosure basemember 16 may be mated with second enclosure base member 24 when thefirst and second enclosure members are interconnected with theinterlocking sliding joints described below.

Surface 58 of base panel 50 may incorporate a plurality of open circularapertures which may be disposed in vertical and horizontal intersectingrows, such as horizontal row 64 and vertical row 66. The distancesbetween open circular apertures which may be chosen to accommodate theattachment of a variety of voice, data, or video equipment modules (notshown), intended for different purposes and having different sizes andconfigurations. The modules may be provided with snap pins (also notshown) sized to be installed in the apertures. In end panel 56 may beincluded several entry ports, such as ports 70 a-c and 72 a-b formed as“knock-outs”, which may be used to feed wiring into and out of theenclosure. Additionally, there may be included brackets, such asbrackets 74 a-b, which extend horizontally out from the top edge of sidepanel 52 and are used to secure the first enclosure base member 16 towall studs (not shown) via screws when installed. Although not visiblein this view two additional brackets may be included on the top edge ofside panel 54.

Second enclosure base member 24 constitutes a unitary structure thatincorporates a first base panel 80, a first side panel 82, a second sidepanel 84, opposing the first side panel 82, and a first end panel 86.The first and second side panels 82 and 84 may be connected at theirrespective first ends 83 and 85 to end panel 86, which together form aU-shaped frame with a first closed end at end panel 86. The panelsforming the U-shaped frame may be interconnected to internal surface 88of base panel 80 about its periphery and extend orthogonally therefrom.The end of the U-shaped frame opposite end panel 86 forms open end 90defined by end edges 91 and 92 of side panels 82 and 84, respectively,and edge 93 of base panel 80. Open end 90 of the second enclosure basemember 24 may be mated with open end 60 of first enclosure base member16 when the first and second enclosure members are interconnected withthe interlocking sliding joints described below.

Surface 88 of base panel 80 may incorporate a plurality of open circularapertures disposed in vertical and horizontal intersecting rows, such ashorizontal row 94 and vertical row 96. As indicated above, the distancesbetween open circular apertures may be chosen to accommodate theattachment of a variety of equipment modules which may be installed withsnap pins sized to be installed in the apertures. There may be includedbrackets, such as brackets 98 a-c, which extend horizontally out fromthe top edge of side panel 82 and may be used to secure the secondenclosure base member 24 to wall studs via screws when installed.Although not visible in this view, three additional brackets may beincluded on the top edge of side panel 84.

The interlocking sliding joints according to an aspect of this inventionare depicted in FIGS. 3-5. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the firstenclosure base member 16 and second enclosure base member 24interconnected with the interlocking sliding joints 100 a and 100 blocated on either side of the enclosure. Tabs 102 and 104, which may beintegrally formed as part of surface 88 of base panel 80, mate with andare seated on grooves (not visible in this figure) formed in surface 58of base panel 50. The grooves may have a depth equal to the thickness ofthe tabs and may be aligned therewith, so that when they are engaged thetop surface on tabs 102 and 104 are flush with surface 58. Screws may beinserted through holes in the tabs and grooves to fasten the base panels50 and 80 together near the central region of the first enclosure basemember 16 and second enclosure base member 24 to enhance theinterconnection provided by interlocking sliding joints 100 a and 100 b.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 3, interlocking sliding joint 100 a is shownto include guide rail 110 integrally formed at end edge 61 of first sidepanel 52 of first enclosure base member 16, which may extendorthogonally outward from the internal surface 58 of base panel 50 tothe top edge of first side panel 52. Interlocking sliding joint 100 amay also include a complementary guide rail 112 integrally formed at end91 of second side panel 82 of second enclosure base member 24, which mayextend orthogonally outward from the internal surface 88 of base panel90 to the top edge of second side panel 82. Each guide rail may comprisea male guiderail member and a female guiderail channel and the maleguiderail member of one guiderail may interlock with the femaleguiderail channel of the other guiderail as they are brought together insliding engagement.

For example, male guide member 114 of the guide rail 110 may be insertedinto the corresponding female guide channel 116 of guide rail 112, whilesimultaneously male guide member 118 of the guide rail 112 may beinserted into the corresponding female guide channel 120 of guide rail110. As the first and second enclosure base members 16 and 24 arebrought closer to each other in the vertical direction (i.e. orthogonalto surfaces 58 and 88 of base panels 50 and 80, respectively), indicatedby arrow 122, the guide rails 110 and 112 move/slide relative to eachother until the guide rails are fully interconnected at which point thetop edges of side panels 52 and 82 and the base panel surfaces 58 and 88of the first and second base members are aligned. Interlocking slidingjoint 100 b is not described in detail, as it may have the sameconstruction and operation as interlocking sliding joint 100 a.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the construction of interlocking slidingjoint 100 a is shown in more detail. Guide rail 110, FIG. 4, may includemale guide member 114, which is formed at edge 61 of first side panel 52and may project inwardly toward the center of the enclosure, in adirection perpendicular to the first side panel 52 a distance “X”,which, in this example, may be approximately 0.15 in. Male guide membermay also extend in a perpendicular direction from the base panel surface58 to top edge 121 of first side panel 52. Female guide channel 120 ofguide rail 110 is, on one side, defined by internal surface of maleguide member 114 and, on the side opposite the surface of male guidemember 114, by rail 122 which may also extend in a perpendiculardirection from the base panel surface 58 to top edge 121 of first sidepanel 52. Rail 122 may include a first member 123, which may projectinwardly toward the center of the enclosure in a direction perpendicularto the first side panel 52 a distance “X”, as does male guide member114. Rail 122 may include a second member 124, which may project alongits length in a direction perpendicular to the length of first member123 toward male guide member 114. Formed on inner surface of firstmember 123 of rail 122 proximate top edge 121 is an angled surfaceportion 125, which is configured to receive a complementarily angledmale member 126 (FIGS. 5A and 5B).

Guide rail 112, FIGS. 5A and 5B, is shown to include male guide member118, which is formed at edge 91 of side panel 82 of second enclosurebase member 24 and extends in a perpendicular direction from top edge127 of side panel 82 toward a plane defined by base panel surface 88.Male guide member 118 does not intersect with base panel surface 88, butrather it overhangs base panel surface 88 a distance “Y”, which, in thisexample, is approximately 0.185 in., from edge 128 of base panel surface88. The female channel 120 of guide rail 110 is positioned a distance“Y” from edge 129 of base panel surface 58 of base panel 50, such thatwhen male guide member 118 is inserted into female guide channel 120 andinterconnected, edges 128 and 129 of base panel surfaces 88 and 58,respectively, abut.

Referring to FIG. 5A, male guide member 118 includes angled male member126 proximate top edge 127 of side panel 82, which engages withcomplementary angled surface portion 125 (FIG. 4) within female guidechannel 120 when male guide member 118 is inserted into female guidechannel 120. Beneath angled male member 126, male guide member 118tapers in width from point 130 to the end 131. The tapering width allowsfor easier initial insertion of the male guide member 118 into femaleguide channel 120 and the gradual widening to a width at location 130substantially equal to the width of the female guide channel 120 allowsfor a snug fit at location 130 and at angled male member 126 when fullyinterconnected. It should be noted that end 131 of male guide memberterminates in the plane defined by bottom panel surface 88, such thatwhen male guide member 118 is inserted into female guide channel 120 end131 of male guide member is seated on back panel surface 58.

Continuing to refer to FIGS. 5A and 5B, guide rail 112, also includesfemale guide channel 116 which is configured to receive male guidemember 114 of guide rail 110. Female guide channel 116 is, on one side,defined by a surface 132 of male guide member 118 and, on the sideopposite the surface 132 of male guide member 118, by surface 133 at theedge 91 of side panel 82 and finally by surface 134 of rail wall 135.Rail wall 135 is connected at a first end to rail wall 136 at aperpendicular angle and rail wall 136 is itself connected to side panel82 at a perpendicular angle. Rail wall 136 extends in a perpendiculardirection from the side panel 82. Rail wall 135 is connected at a secondend to rail wall 137 at a perpendicular angle which is itself connectedto male guide member 118.

Modular enclosure 10 is shown in FIG. 6 in a perspective view with firsttrim ring 18

and second trim ring 28 installed on first enclosure base member 16 andsecond enclosure base member 24, respectively, but with enclosure doors20 and 28 removed. The trim rings are formed using the molds and toolingfor the standard size enclosure but they are modified to create an openend to align with the open end of the enclosure base members and toinclude an overlap joint to join with another modified trim ring. Thetrim rings are joined to the top edges of the enclosure base members viascrews, such as screws 144 and 146. The overlap joints 140 and 142 arelocated on opposite sides of enclosure 10.

The overlap joint 140 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 7-9. Overlapjoint 142 is the same construction as overlap joint 140 and is thereforenot described herein in detail. Overlap joint 140, is formed byoverlapping end portions of first trim ring 18 and second trim ring 26.On the interior side, the trim rings may include a molded snap mechanismformed of pocket member 142, FIG. 7, on the end of trim ring 18, whichincludes an opening 143 configured to receive a detent 144 formed on aleg 145 at the end of trim ring 26. When leg 145 is inserted intoopening 143 of pocket member 142, the detent 144 is initially compressedand then, when it is positioned in alignment with opening 146 in pocketmember 142, detent 144 extends into opening 146 and catches on undersidesurface 147 of pocket member 142 to secure the two trim rings in place.There may be a slit 148 formed in the sidewall of trim ring 26 toaccommodate leg 149 of pocket member 142.

Referring to FIG. 9, the end of trim ring 18 may include a recessedsurface 150, which extends across the width of the trim ring at a depthequal to the thickness 151 of trim ring 26 (FIGS. 8A and 8B), such thatwhen the end of trim ring 26 is placed on top of recessed surface 150 oftrim ring 18, the top surfaces of the trim rings are flush. There is anedge 152 (FIG. 8B) on the underside of trim ring 26, which may abut edge153 on trim ring 18 as the trim rings are overlapped. On the exteriorside of trim ring 18 there may be a raised portion 160 which includes acylindrical aperture 162 configured to received cylindrical member 164,FIG. 8B, in the underside of raised portion 166 in trim ring 26 when theend of trim ring 26 is placed on the end of trim ring 18. Referring toFIG. 8B, there may be a threaded opening 167 in cylindrical member 164which may receive a screw when inserted through an opening (not shown)at the base of cylindrical aperture 162 to secure the trim ringstogether on their exterior sides.

Once the trim rings are installed, the first enclosure door 20 and thesecond enclosure door 28 may be installed as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1Band the non-metallic, modular enclosure according to an aspect of thisinvention may be used.

While the foregoing description of the invention enables one of ordinaryskill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best modethereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate theexistence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specificembodiments and examples herein. The above-described embodiments of thepresent invention are intended to be examples only. Alterations,modifications and variations may be effected to the particularembodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from thescope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims appendedhereto. The invention is therefore not limited by the above describedembodiments and examples.

I claim:
 1. A modular, non-metallic enclosure, comprising: a firstnon-metallic enclosure member having a first base panel, a first sidepanel, a second side panel opposing the first side panel, and a firstend panel; wherein the first base panel includes an internal surfacefrom which extend the first and second side panels on opposite sides ofthe internal surface and the first end panel extends from an end of theinternal surface and interconnects the first and second side panelsforming a closed end of the first non-metallic enclosure member,opposite the closed end there is an open end of the first non-metallicenclosure member between the first and second side panels; a secondnon-metallic enclosure member having a second base panel, a third sidepanel, a fourth side panel opposing the third side panel, and a secondend panel; wherein the second base panel includes an internal surfacefrom which extend the third and fourth side panels on opposite sides ofthe internal surface and the second end panel extends from an end of theinternal surface and interconnects between the third and fourth sidepanels forming a closed end of the second non-metallic enclosure member,opposite the closed end there is an open end of the second non-metallicenclosure member between the third and fourth side panels; wherein atthe open end of the first non-metallic enclosure member, the first andsecond side panels each include a guide rail, each guide rail having amale guiderail member and a female guiderail channel; wherein at theopen end of the second non-metallic enclosure member, the third andfourth side panels each include a guide rail, each guide rail having amale guiderail member and a female guiderail channel; wherein the maleguiderail member and the female guiderail channel of the first sidewallare configured to slideably engage with the opposite of the maleguiderail member and the female guiderail channel of the third sidewall, thereby forming a first sliding joint and wherein the maleguiderail member and the female guiderail channel of the second sidewallare configured to slideably engage with the opposite of the maleguiderail member and the female guiderail channel of the fourth sidepanel, thereby forming a second sliding joint.
 2. The modular,non-metallic enclosure of claim 1 wherein the guide rails of the firstnon-metallic enclosure member have a length extending in an orthogonaldirection relative to the internal surface of the first base panel andthe guide rails of the second non-metallic enclosure member have alength extending in an orthogonal direction relative to the internalsurface of the second base panel, and wherein the guide rails of thefirst non-metallic enclosure member are configured to receive at a topof the first and second side walls the guide rails of the secondnon-metallic enclosure member at a bottom of the third and fourth sidewalls, respectively.
 3. The modular, non-metallic enclosure of claim 1wherein the male guiderail member and the female guiderail channel oneach of the first and second side panels are integrated.
 4. The modular,non-metallic enclosure of claim 3 wherein the male guiderail member andthe female guiderail channel on each of the third and fourth side panelsare integrated.
 5. The modular, non-metallic enclosure of claim 4wherein the male guiderail member and the female guiderail channel oneach of the first and second side panels extend at least partiallybeyond the open end of the first non-metallic enclosure member and theinternal surface of first base panel.
 6. The modular, non-metallicenclosure of claim 5 wherein the male guiderail member and the femaleguiderail channel on each of the third and fourth side panels arepositioned within the open end of the second non-metallic enclosuremember and on the internal surface of first base panel.
 7. The modular,non-metallic enclosure of claim 6 wherein each male guiderail member istapered in width along its length from the top of the first and secondside panels to a base of the first and second side panels and eachfemale guiderail channel on each of the first and second side panels hasa consistent rectangular cross-sectional shape along its length.
 8. Themodular, non-metallic enclosure of claim 7 wherein the male guiderailmember and the female guiderail channel on each of the third and fourthside panels have a consistent rectangular cross-sectional shape alongits length.
 9. The modular, non-metallic enclosure of claim 8 wherein onan external surface of the male guiderail member and proximate the topof each of the first and second side panels there is included a wedgeportion with a sloped surface.
 10. The modular, non-metallic enclosureof claim 9 wherein the female guiderail channel on each of the third andfourth side panels has a surface proximate the top of the third andfourth side panels with a surface having a slope complementary to thesloped surface of the wedge portion to receive the wedge portion of maleguide members of the first and second side panels when engaged.
 11. Themodular, non-metallic enclosure of claim 1 a first trim ring affixed tothe first non-metallic enclosure member and a second trim ring affixedto the second non-metallic enclosure member.
 12. The modular,non-metallic enclosure of claim 1 wherein a first trim ring isinterconnected to a second trim ring by a first overlap joint and asecond overlap joint; wherein the first trim ring includes a first legmember and a second leg member and the second trim ring includes a thirdleg member and a fourth leg member and the first lap joint is formed atan intersection of the first and third leg members and the second lapjoint is formed at an intersection of the second and fourth leg members.13. The modular, non-metallic enclosure of claim 12 wherein the firstoverlap joint comprises a recessed end portion of the first leg memberand an end portion of the third leg member having a thickness equivalentto a depth of the recess, such that when the end portion of the thirdleg member is positioned on the recessed portion of the first legmember, a top surface of the first leg member and a top surface of thethird leg member are substantially flush.
 14. The modular, non-metallicenclosure of claim 13 wherein the first overlap joint further comprisesa first joint member and a second joint member on opposite sides of theend portion of the first leg member and the end portion of the third legmember; wherein the first joint member includes a detent on an exteriorside surface of the recessed end portion of first leg member and apocket member with an opening on exterior surface of the end portion ofthe third leg member, the pocket member configured to secure the detentwhen inserted into the opening.
 15. The modular, non-metallic enclosureof claim 14 wherein the second joint member includes a cylindricalmember projecting from an underside of the end portion of the first legmember and a cylindrical aperture on a top surface of the end portion ofthe third leg member, the cylindrical aperture configured to receive thecylindrical member when inserted therein.
 16. The modular, non-metallicenclosure of claim 15 wherein the second overlap joint comprises arecessed end portion of the second leg member and an end portion of thefourth leg member having a thickness equivalent to a depth of therecess, such that when the end portion of the fourth leg member ispositioned on the recessed portion of the second leg member, a topsurface of the second leg member and a top surface of the fourth legmember are substantially flush.
 17. The modular, non-metallic enclosureof claim 16 wherein the second overlap joint further comprises a thirdjoint member and a fourth joint member on opposite sides of the endportion of the second leg member and the end portion of the fourth legmember; wherein the third joint member includes a detent on an exteriorside surface of the recessed end portion of second leg member and apocket member with an opening on exterior surface of the end portion ofthe fourth leg member, the pocket member configured to secure the detentwhen inserted into the opening.
 18. The modular, non-metallic enclosureof claim 17 wherein the fourth joint member includes a cylindricalmember projecting from an underside of the end portion of the second legmember and a cylindrical aperture on a top surface of the end portion ofthe fourth leg member, the cylindrical aperture configured to receivethe cylindrical member when inserted therein.